Behringer Xenyx X1222USB

As always from Behringer, this unit offers great value for money, and does what it says on the tin.

There are enough inputs to work with a small band, particularly considering stereo outputs from guitar signal processors and keyboards eat 4 channels straight away.

Phantom power on six channels and compressors on 4 channels are very useful as is the multiple bus architecture. For live mixing on a budget all you might be left wanting is even more channels. No matter how many you have, it always seems to be you run up to the limit of those available. This being the case this unit offers the most (and most adaptable channels) for the money.

The USB link works as a USB link but only as two channels so is no more, or less, useful than a stereo USB interface. If I recall, you can control which two channels are sent out so can build a digital mix in a DAW but only two channels at a time - check this before purchase if important as it is a long time since I used the USB. I believe the channel selection works via one of the buses so you couldn't separate two channels if the buses are already in use for effects or fold back and would have to send the whole mix.

The graphic equalizer works well, within the constraints of the broad frequency bands for each slider.

The on board FX are perhaps a little disappointing. Convenient in not having to link an external echo/reverb but I struggle to see the point of the modulation options. The one knob adjustment also makes it awkward to modify any of the settings with any confidence.

If you already have an outboard reverb/echo or other FX processor I would opt for the non FX version of the unit.

In closing a little video I created one evening of my mixer:-

summary - A well featured and well thought out mixer for the money. If you need 12 Channels (and for a band you would struggle with less) there isn't a better budget alternative.

I used this as a PA mixer and a USB Interface, I was pleased with the build quality, it was very tough and it can take a lot of punishment without doing any damage to it!

The built in effects are nothing outstanding but they definitely do the job and their is quite a lot of options considering the price.

I would definitely recommend this as a PA for small bands or solo performers, but i would not recommend it as a USB interface as it only outputs one channel. the mic pre amps again are decent for the price and you can get some good recordings out of it! though i did find that it introduced noise to my monitors without me going too crazy with the gain.

In summery, definitely worth it for the price!

all in all, a great little piece of kit! feels well, performs well, and although it might seem like it's made of lesser quality materials it is sturdy! the only real complaints are that the main output lights don't seem to be working correctly, they only ever light up about 2 or 3 rows. and the tap tempo button for the effects doesn't seem to be too accurate and the delay length given doesn't really warrant its use anyway. just to point out to people, the usb interface supports channels 1 and 2 only! and they record onto a single track on your daw. channels 5 and 6 are only mic or stereo input, so no 1/4" single guitar hook up can be used (although channels 7 and 8 cover that) But is has performed well in 20+ gigs on my own as well as with groups in the 6 months i have had it and i feel no need to change! for the price, in fairness, you can't go wrong!